Improvement in preparing sealing-wax for use



W. H. BUTLER.

Preparing Sealing-Wax for Use. N0,147,8l8., I Patented Feb.24.1874.

Znven Z01" protected by a seal.

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

\VILLIAM H. BUTLER, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT lN PREPARING SEALING-WAX FOR USE.

Spwification forming part of Letters Patent No. 147,818, dated February 2-1, 1874; application filed February 14, 1874.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WVLL IAM H. BUTLER, of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Preparing Sealing- VVa-x for Use and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 shows a longitudinal, and Fig. 2 a cross, section of my invention. Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the same as combined with a holder or spoon for collecting the wax as it is melted.

Sealing-wax is now commonly put up in the form of sticks, which are melted by holding one end in the flame of a candle or lamp. \Vhen so made and used, a large portion of the wax is wasted, and it is frequently difiic-ult to make a perfect seal with it. The principal use of sealing-wax is to attach a clean, uniform wax seal to envelopes, documents, boxes, vessels, exhibits, and other articles which are to be Such seal, to be of value, must be neatly and uniformly put on. With the ordinary stick-wax th s is very diflicult to accomplish, but with my invention it becomes very simple and easy. The wax is cast or molded into any of the usual forms and provided with a wick, such as used in candles or tapers, and where a large amount is to be used a spoon is attached to the stick, so as to collect the wax as it melts, when it may be poured upon the spot to besealed.

In the drawing, A shows a stick of sealingwax, and B a wick of cotton dipped in tallow, resin, orother combustible material, one end of the wick projecting, so as to be lighted as a candle. O is a spoon, of metal or other mate rial, provided with a loop or sleeve to slip over the stick of wax, so as to bring the bowl of the spoon directly under the wax as it is melted an d drops from the stick. Ordinarily, the spoon will not be required to use the wax, but is sometimes very convenient.

By lighting the projecting end of the wick, the heat of the flame melts the wax, which may be permitted to drop upon the spot to be sealed until a'sufficient amount has been deposited, when the seal or stamp is applied, and a perfect, unbroken impression is made; or the melted wax may be collected in the spoon, and then poured upon the spot or place to be sealed.

1 do not limit myself to any form of stick or roll of wax, nor to any particular kind of wick, as these may be greatly varied without departing from the nature of my invention.

Any suitable fibrous material may be used, or simply a stick of wood or straw, or other like material which will hold the fire and burn, so as to melt the wax. The spoon may also be attached to the stick by any equivalent device.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. The improved sealing wax herein described, consisting of a stick or roll of wax and wick combined, and arranged to operate substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of the wax, the wick, and the spoon or holder, all substantially as set forth. 7

In testimony that I do claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 12th day of February, 1874.

W N. H. BUTLER.

Witnesses: HENRY G. BANKS, MIcHAEL PRESTON. 

